Funaria hygrometrica gametophyte and sporophyte cuticular waxes

The waxy cuticles that coat plant surfaces have been relatively well studied in vascular plant taxa, but it is unclear how similar they may be across distant lineages.

Wax coverage on three major structures of Funaria hygrometrica. The total amount of wax from each structure is expressed in terms of wax mass (μg) per surface area extracted (cm2). Bar heights and error bars represent the mean and s.d. of three independent samples, respectively. Letters indicate significant differences based on Tukey post-hoc tests (P < 0·01) and ANOVA (F2,6 = 111·3, P < 0·001).. Full details Busta et al. (2016)

Busta et al. present comprehensive analyses of the waxes on the model moss Funaria hygrometrica including, for the first time, measurements of the amount of wax per surface area and a comparison of three aerial moss structures. These results are discussed in the context of plant evolution, the relationships between the parental and offspring moss structures, and the biosynthesis of cuticular wax compounds.

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